Iran claims responsibility for missile attack on Iraq's Erbil targetting Israeli site

Iran claimed responsibility for a missile strike Sunday on the northern Iraqi city of Erbil, saying it targeted an Israeli "strategic centre".

Authorities in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region had earlier said 12 ballistic missiles rained down on Erbil in a pre-dawn attack targeting US interests that slightly wounded two civilians and caused material damage.

The missiles came from beyond Iraq's eastern border, Kurdistan's counter-terrorism unit announced - in effect saying they were fired from Iran, a nation that wields considerable political and economic influence over Baghdad.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards later confirmed they fired the projectiles, claiming they were targeting sites used by Israel, a top ally of the US.

A "strategic centre for conspiracy and mischiefs of the Zionists was targeted by powerful precision missiles fired by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps", the Guards said in a statement.

There were no casualties, according to Kurdistan's health minister. Saman Barzanji said: "No victims or casualties after Erbil blasts."

There were unconfirmed reports the explosions happened near the US consulate, which is next to the airport.

A US State Department spokesman said: "There is no damage or casualties at any US Government facility.

"The incident is being investigated by the government of Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government, and we refer you to them for comment. We condemn this outrageous attack against the sovereignty of Iraq."

Social media posts appeared to show missiles hitting the ground and large explosions.

Local television channel Kurdistan24, whose studios are not far from the US consulate, posted images on social networks of its damaged offices, with collapsed sections of false ceiling and broken glass.

Omed Khoshnaw, the governor of Erbil, said it was not clear if the target was the US consulate or the city's airport.

However, Hiwa Afandi, deputy head of the Kurdistan Regional Government, said on Twitter: "Erbil International Airport was NOT the target. All good there.

"The missiles used this time were different, bigger, more accurate and I believe require proper launch systems."

Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said: "We condemn this terrorist attack launched against several sectors of Arbil, we call on the inhabitants to remain calm."

Erbil has been attacked repeatedly over the last few years.

In February last year a rocket attack killed a civilian contractor, and injured a member of the US armed services and several American contractors.

In July an explosive drone hit coalition headquarters at the airport.

On the 20th anniversary of September 11, US troops at the airport were also targeted with exploding drones.

The US has said Shiite militias aligned with Iran were responsible for those attacks.